BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF

BEHAVIOR
BIOPSYCHOLOGY

It studies how biological processes, particularly the

nervous system and the brain activity, and glandular
processes affects behavior.
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
It is a complex combination of cells that permits us to
gain information about what is happening inside and
outside our body and to respond appropriately.

FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

INPUT—receives information

PROCESSING—integrates the information with past

experiences.

OUTPUT—activates or guides mechanism for appropriate

actions.
 Neurons or nerve cells
These are basic tissues and structural units of the
nervous system.
Types of neurons:
Afferent (Sensory Neurons)—conveys messages from
sense organs to the brain.

Efferent (Motor Neurons)– relays messages from the

brain to the glands and muscles.

Interneurons– carries impulse from one neuron to

another.
 STRUCTURE OF THE TYPICAL NEURON
CELL MEMBRANE– surrounds the entire neuron giving it
shape and shielding the internal fluids from dispersing.

DENDRITES—receives signals or information from the

receptors or from one neurons.

CELL BODY– contains a nucleus involved in the metabolic

or energy regulation processing of the cells.

AXONS– sends nerve impulse from the neurons to other

neurons, muscles or glands.
 STRUCTURE OF THE TYPICAL NEURON
AXON TERMINALS—small knobs at the end of the axons
which are directly involved in transmitting impulses.

MYELIN SHEATH– fatty protein substance which covers the

neurons and functions to accelerate the transmission of
nerve impulses.

SYNAPTIC GAP– microscopic gap between the terminal

buttons and the dendrites of another neuron.

NEUROTRANSMITTERS– chemicals released by the axon

terminals that facilitates transmission of impulses.
 THE NATURE OF THE NERVE IMPULSE
RESTING POTENTIAL OR DEGRADATION– the electrical
charge of a neuron is at rest or inactive. (inhibitory
phase)

THRESHOLD OR DEPOLARIZATION– the point at which a

nerve impulse is triggered or fired.

ACTION POTENTIAL– nerve impulse sweeps down the

axon.

ALL-OR-NOTHING EVENT– an impulse occurs completely

or not at all.
THE NATURE OF THE NERVE IMPULSE

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072495855/student_view
0/chapter14/animation__the_nerve_impulse.html

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SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION
NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
NOREPINEPHRINE– involve in memory and learning.

ENDORPHINS– inhibits pain.

ACETYLCHOLINE– involve with movement and memory

DOPAMINE– involve in learning, emotional arousal, and

movement.

SEROTONIN– modulation of anger, mood, eating, sleep,

and sexuality.
THE ILLUSTRATIVE STRUCTURE OF THE
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM

CENTRAL
NERVOUS SYSTEM PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

SPINAL SOMATIC AUTONOMIC

BRAIN NERVOUS SYSTEM NERVOUS SYSTEM
CORD

SPINAL SYMPATHETIC PARASYMPATHETIC

CRANIAL
NERVES NERVOUS NERVOUS
NERVES
(32 pairs) SYSTEM SYSTEM
(12 pairs)
 THE SPINAL CORD

FUNCTIONS:

1.Acts like a cable connecting the brain to the other

parts of the body.

2.Carries out the simple behavior pattern known as

the reflexes or automatic behavior.
 THE SPINAL CORD
Elongated structure extending from the foramen
magnum down to the vertebra.

It has two enlargements: cervical and lumbar.

It has two layers:

White matter (outer layer) contains ascending (sensory
signals) and descending (motor signals) nerve fibers that
transmits neural impulses.
Gray matter (inner layer) which contains nuclei which are
sensory or motor in functions.
THE BRAIN STRUCTURE
 THE BRAINSTEM
Made up of: medulla, pons, midbrain, and the interbrain.
 Medulla– controls automatic responses such as
breathing, swallowing, and blood circulation.
 Pons– links the hindbrain and midbrain. It regulates
sleep-wake cycle.
 Midbrain
 Reticular Formation (reticular system)—controls
level of arousal and awareness.
 Thalamus– switching station for sensory
messages on their way to the cortex.
 CEREBELLUM (LITTLE BRAIN)
Coordinates muscular movements and bodily balance.

Concerned with procedural memory, a type of

memory that involves sensorimotor skills.
 CEREBRUM (CEREBRAL CORTEX)
Highest center in the brain.

It perceives sensations, commands, skilled movements,

provides awareness of emotions, necessary for
thinking, language ability, and higher mental functions.

It has two hemispheres: Left and Right

The two hemispheres are connected by corpus callosum.
 CEREBRUM (CEREBRAL CORTEX)
It has two hemispheres: Left and Right
The two hemispheres are connected by corpus callosum.
 Left-hemisphere– verbal, mathematical, logical,
analytical
 Right-hemisphere– non-verbal, perceptual skills,
intuitive (recognition and expression of
emotion), holistic
 CEREBRUM (CEREBRAL CORTEX)
It has two hemispheres: Left and Right
 CEREBRUM (CEREBRAL CORTEX)
It has two layers: outer layer (gray matter)—cerebral
cortex; inner layer (white matter)– myelineated fibers

It has four lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital

 Frontal Lobe—control of body movements,
decision-making, and higher mental functions. It
houses the primary motor area.
 Temporal Lobe– receives auditory information. It
also functions in memory, development of some
aspects of personality and limited control of
sexual behaviors.
 CEREBRUM (CEREBRAL CORTEX)
It has four lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital
 Parietal Lobe—receives somatosensory input.
 Occipital Lobe– contains the primary visual-
processing area.
 CEREBRUM (CEREBRAL CORTEX)
Limbic System– found in the innermost edge of the
cerebral hemisphere. It is involved in regulating drives
and emotions.
 CEREBRUM (CEREBRAL CORTEX)

Limbic System– found in the innermost edge of the

cerebral hemisphere. It is involved in regulating drives
and emotions
 Hypothalamus– master control for emotions and
basic motives.
 Hippocampus– plays a special role in memory
(formation of new memories).
 Amygdala– linked to fear responses and pleasure.
 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

 Regulates mood, growth and development,

tissue function, metabolism, sexual function
and reproductive processes.

HORMONES AND GLANDS– foundations of the system.

 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

HORMONES– chemical substances secreted by the

glands which are released into the blood stream.

DUCTLESS GLANDS– secretion of hormones are

directed into the blood stream into their target organs.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
GLAND LOCATION HORMONE FUNCTION UNDER
OVER SECRETION
SECRETION
PITUITARY Hypothalamus Growth Regulates Giantism dwarfism
hormone growth
Acromegaly

PINEAL Between two Melatonin Regulates Oversleeping Insomnia

brain body
hemispheres rhythm and
sleep
THYROID Neck along the Thyroxine Regulates Hyperthyroid Hypothyrodism
windpipe metabolism ism
ADRENAL Atop the Epinephrine Emergency
Medulla kidneys Norepinephr Hormones
ine
 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
GLAND LOCATION HORMONE FUNCTION UNDER
OVER SECRETION
SECRETION
ADRENAL Atop the Adrenal Sex Virilism
Cortex kidneys Androgens hormones Premature
Puberty
(children)

Cortisone Prevents Increase Prone to

release of appetite; infection
substances weakening of
that causes muscles and
inflammation bones

PANCREAS Near the Insulin Regulates Diabetes

stomach and the supply mellitus
small intestine and the use
of blood
sugar
 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

GLAND LOCATION HORMONE FUNCTION UNDER

OVER SECRETION
SECRETION

GONADS Testes (men) Androgens Activates

Ovaries (testosterone) reproductive
(women) Estrogens and organs
Progesterone
THYMUS Chest cavity Inhibits the
gonads
during
childhood
years